Vladyka John Snychev. This name is known not only in large Russian cities, but also in the most seemingly God-forgotten places in Russia. This seemingly inconspicuous thin old man has become a real idol for many Russians. When the entire Russian land with its large population was drowning under the yoke of overseas preachers who strove to wipe out its essence from the face of the earth, destroy its natural heritage and destroy the centuries-old traditions of the Russian people, the quiet voice of Vladyka John spoke of what should be accepted in one’s heart only Christ and the Church. And do not listen to more deceptive theories and false sciences. Vladyka John Snychev was of amazing purity. His biography is full of amazing events. It is especially striking how much this man throughout his life felt the presence of the Lord in everything: in deeds, in events and, of course, in his soul.
Early life
Ioann Snychev was born in 1927 on October 9th. His real name is Ivan Matveyevich Snychev. The metropolitan's birthplace was the village of Novo-Mayachka, located in the Kakhovka district of the Kherson region. John's parents were peasants. They were far from God's teachings and did not differ in particular religiosity. Therefore, they did not instill in their children faith in God and piety. Despite the fact that Ivan Snychev grew up in a godless family, he had a craving for faith from childhood. And yet, this faith did not have any foundations and confirmations, therefore the lad was always outside the Church. Time passed, the boy grew up, his parents could not satisfy his spiritual quest, they did not know how to satisfy his questions. He had to come to everything by his own efforts.
Searching for the meaning of life
When the future Metropolitan was fifteen years old, he began to think more deeply about the meaning of life. Later, when Metropolitan of St. Petersburg and Ladoga John Snychev recalled his youth, he said that he was bitterly aware of the disappearance of the soul without a trace after death. He could not accept the fact that after death a person disappears without a trace. He even wept bitterly, he was so deeply moved by it. The young man always felt an incredible strength that helped him cope with life's difficulties. He plunged into deep thoughts about the meaning of being, about human existence. His search and mental torment did not pass without a trace. The Lord was just waiting for the right moment to lift the curtain of truth.
Prophetic dream
Ivan once had a strange dream. As if he is standing in the middle of a plowed field. In his hands were extraordinary miraculous seeds. He dispersed them and surprisingly they instantly germinated and bore fruit. There were so many fruits that they could hardly fit on the field. Ivan decided to test them for maturity. To his surprise, not a single fruit has yet ripened. So, checking the fruits, he reached the middle of the field, where he saw the Life-Giving Cross lying, the very one on which Christ was crucified. Ivan's joy knew no bounds. He couldn't think of anything else. He took the Cross, put it on his back and carried it. When Ivan walked with his burden, terrible bad weather reigned, the wind blew, thunder rumbled, it rained. When he reached his village, a familiar nun approached him and said: “I know you, you are a holy fool…”. This dream convinced Ivan that he really was not of this world. This was a kind of confirmation of his divine origin.
Spiritual insight
The Lord could not indifferently watch how young John Snychev tormented his heart with deep feelings. He brought the Metropolitan to faith in a special way. In 1943, upon the arrival of spring, the private houses of the village in which Ivan lived at that time began to be filled with pious old women, who gathered together for joint prayer. Ivan also managed to attend one such meeting. Here he first plunged into the atmosphere of Orthodoxy, and his heart responded to prayers. Finally, the future Metropolitan John Snychev saw divine providence on the evening of August 1, 1943. On this momentous dayOrthodox Christians honored the memory of St. Seraphim of Sarov, followed by the feast of God's prophet Elijah. Conduct came to Ivan right on the dance floor. Suddenly he was seized with thoughts of the sinfulness of this world. He felt with all his gut all the vileness and depravity of modern human existence. Demons appeared before his eyes, grimacing in human form, and for a moment it seemed to him that he was plunging into the abyss of hell. At that very moment, the fire of sincere faith lit up in the young man's heart. God's word dispelled all his doubts, and he was firmly convinced that after death a person, by his actions, ends up either in the kingdom of heaven or in the hellish worlds.
God's Providence
The end of November 1944 was a turning point for Ivan. He was drafted into the army. The young man was not very pleased with this event, however, the Lord heard his prayers, and a few months later Ivan was released from military service due to illness. He was accepted into the church of Peter and Paul in the town of Buzulka as a sexton. Thanks to his diligence and good service, the young man was noticed by Bishop Manuel, who took him to his cell-attendant. On July 9, 1946, the novice John was appointed deacon on the instructions of the elder, the bishop. And on January 14, 1948, he received the title of priest. The saint completely relied on John. He dipped him into all the affairs of the diocese, gave him complex assignments, asked him to settle internal conflicts. From the very beginning, the Lord was authorized to resolve people's passions.
Training
September 1948 was a turning point for John. Archbishop Manuel, under whose command John was, was exiled to Potma. The novice had to enter the Saratov Theological Seminary, from which he graduated brilliantly. In 1951, he entered the Leningrad Theological Academy, which he graduated with honors 4 years later. He was awarded the degree of candidate of theology and remained in the department of sectarian studies.
In December 1955, Archbishop Manuil returned from exile, who was temporarily appointed to the Cheboksary cathedra. Father John continued to help the archbishop in his spare time. Together they made works. In the autumn of the same year, John was appointed a teacher at the Minsk Theological Seminary and tonsured into a robe.
Workdays
Ioann Snychev was indefatigably hardworking. Facts from the life of Vladyka constantly confirm this. In the early autumn of 1957, Archbishop Manuel of Cheboksary invited John to Cheboksary. He respectfully accepted the invitation and went to the elder-hierarch. For two years, John helped the archbishop in writing monumental works, for which in March 1959 he was presented with a gift in the form of a cross with decorations, presented by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy I.
In the fall of 1959, John was appointed assistant inspector and part-time teacher at the Saratov Theological Seminary. The hieromonk spent only one year in this position, and already in 1960 he took up the post of clergyman in the Intercession Cathedral in Samara. At the same time, Johnworked on his master's thesis. He spent many years helping his mentor, Archbishop Manuel, from whom he inherited a craving for research.
In the spring of 1961, John received the rank of abbot. Three years later, on Easter, he was awarded the rank of archimandrite. In December 1965, John became Bishop of Syzran. At the end of the winter of 1966, Bishop John, after defending his master's thesis, received a master's degree in theology. In the fall of 1972, the bishop was entrusted with managing the Cheboksary diocese. In 1976, John Sychev was awarded the rank of archbishop. In June 1987 he traveled to the Holy Land in Jerusalem. In 1988, at the Theological Academy of St. Petersburg, Bishop of the Russian Orthodox Church Ioann Snychev lectured on the latest history of the church, for which he was later awarded the title of Doctor of Church Sciences.
Permanent member of the Holy Synod John Snychev in August 1990 headed the diocese of St. Petersburg. One of the founders of the Peter the Great Academy, Ioann Snychev, tripled the number of churches during his reign. Divine services have resumed in many cathedrals after major repairs.
Outreach activities
Ioann Snychev made a huge contribution to church science. The works written by the archbishop are of great value today. An example would be such works as “Standing in the Faith. Essays on Church Troubles”, “The Science of Humility. Letters to monastics”, “Autocracy of the spirit. Essays on Russian Self-Consciousness”, “How to prepare and conduct a fast. How to live inModern Spiritless World”, “Spiritual Staff”, “Voice of Eternity. Sermons and Teachings. The spiritual savagery of the Russian people, as well as Russia's immersion in godless turmoil, was traced as a red thread in Vladyka's writings. In his writings, Metropolitan John Snychev touched upon such important topics as the significance of Russian history, the revival of the self-consciousness of the Russian people.
Memory of the Lord
Vladyka left this world on November 2, 1995. The cause of death was a heart attack. However, there are suspicions that Metropolitan John Snychev was poisoned, which was the reason for his sudden death. His grave is unremarkable. It has a simple wooden cross and a small metal plate engraved with the dignity of the metropolitan. However, his contribution to the Russian Orthodox Church is invaluable. The strength of his spirit, embodied in the writings of John, still inspires many Christian followers.
